Brighstone CE Primary School

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 32, 18th May, 2012

Fri, 18 May 2012 09:39:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

The weeks now seem to be flying by, with just 2 weeks until the end of term! My huge thanks to the BSA and everyone who supported the school on Saturday, by attending Wolverton. Nearly £1000 was taken by the BSA, which will go a long way to subsidising several class trips that the children are participating in this term. Happily the sun kept shining on Sunday for Walk the Wight - well done to everyone who took part! Please can I remind all participants to return their sponsor forms and monies raised to the school office by 1^st June, so that we can ensure these important funds reach the Hospice as soon as possible. On Wednesday Year 1 had a super day ‘nurturing nature’ on their trip to the downs, where a good time was had by all! On Monday I sent out the relationships and sex education letters to all children in Years 2-6, so if you did not receive a letter, please download a copy from our school website. Year 6 have been working incredibly hard on their SATS tests and should be proud of their efforts. Their test papers have now been sent away for external marking and we will receive the results in mid-July. Next week Mrs Pugh will be hosting a coffee and chat to review the behaviour policy, to which you are very welcome to attend and a reminder that children can come to school in mufti clothing on Monday 28^th, for informal photographs. I’d also like to remind parents that any outstanding debts relating to dinner money etc. need to be paid by May 30^th at the latest. Enjoy your weekend and happy treasure hunting – see next page and attached!

Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 31, 11th May, 2012

Fri, 11 May 2012 10:16:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

Yet another soggy week – I do hope that the weather clears today, as there is a busy weekend of events for you all to be involved in! I’d like to warmly welcome Benjamin and his family to Year 2 and Brighstone. I trust that Benjamin settles in quickly and enjoys being part of our community. I‘m sure that you all enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend. Well done to all who participated in the ‘May Day Jouvay’ on Sunday – I’m sorry I couldn’t be there myself, but I hear a good time was had by all! We have sent out a number of trip letters this week and on Monday, will be distributing our relationships and sex education information to all parents of Year 2 – 6. Please check your child’s book bag, but all letters are also put onto the school website if you are missing one! Next week Year 6 will be undertaking their SATS. They have all worked incredibly hard. Please ensure that your child is in school on time, having had breakfast and feels well prepared for each day. Also, some advance notice that the BSA will shortly be selling school tea-towels, (with a picture of every child and member of staff on), that commemorate the Jubilee. They will be priced at approximately £3 each and should be available at half-term. I hope that lots of people come along to Wolverton tomorrow and wish everybody taking part in Walk the Wight on Sunday, the best of luck (and weather!) and not too many blisters! My tip, layers of socks and change your socks halfway! Best wishes

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 30, 4th May, 2012

Fri, 04 May 2012 09:12:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

I can scarcely believe that we are in May already! This week our KS2 swimming lessons have continued and our KS1 Forest School sessions began. I had a super (and dry!) time in the forest with the children on Tuesday, in a brand new purpose built KS1 area. We look forward to exploring this space further in future weeks and finding the remaining sock snakes that managed to camouflage themselves so well! Year 6 visited St Mary’s Church to develop their knowledge of the Eucharist further and the Learning Detectives have been hard at work in several classes. On Thursday, we had our SIAS (Statutory Inspection of Anglican Schools) inspection by the Diocese of Portsmouth. My thanks to the children, parents and governors who spoke to the inspector, as well as the staff for their preparation and hard work on the day! The report will be published within the next few weeks, but we are absolutely delighted with the outcome and look forward to sharing the detail with you shortly. A reminder that the Bank Holiday makes this weekend slightly longer than usual, so we look forward to seeing you all back in school on Tuesday morning. If you are watching or participating in the May Day Jouvay on Sunday, I wish you fine weather and a super day! Have a super weekend. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 29, 27th April, 2012

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 08:44:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

What a soggy week it has been! However, this has not dampened our spirits and the children and staff have been hard at work. A group of gifted and talented scientists visited Medina College with Mr McGouran this week and returned with the challenge to purify some rather dirty water before their next visit in May! Reception Class began their weekly visits to the library in it’s new home and our after school clubs began. Children attending Theatretrain put on some excellent performances to their parents and KS2 swimming lessons also started. I have been meeting with other Primary and Secondary School Headteacher’s this week, in order to begin planning the transfer details for our Year 6 children to Secondary School. I’m pleased to say that the LA have agreed to provide bus transport for the Year 6 children on both of the transition days in June/July and further details about bus stops and times will be published by the Local Authority shortly. Here’s to some slightly drier weather next week!

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 20, 20th April, 2011

Fri, 20 Apr 2012 10:24:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

A very warm welcome back to the summer term! I hope the rain that we’ve had this week is not going to remain with us for the term! FAB had a FABulous time over the Easter break and have been working hard with the school garden. The Green Gym popped along to help and we can’t wait to open to the public in June! We also had our Early Years area re-painted, new computers installed and undertook many other minor works to keep the school looking tip-top! Teachers were also hard at work preparing classrooms and planning and you will receive an abridged version of their planning, as well as class newsletters, on Monday. Full versions of the planning will be available on the school website as usual. This week we have welcomed Mr Densham to our team for the summer term and the new prefects have started their jobs. They have already been extremely helpful and super ambassadors for the school. Tonight sees the BSA Disco and I look forward to seeing many children there! A reminder that Sainsbury’s have now finished issuing their vouchers. Please send them in with your children before Friday, so that we can add them to our total. Thank you! Have a super weekend!

Miss Johnston

Volume 12 Issue 27 Buzz 30th March 2012

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:21:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON Weâ€™ve made it to the Easter break â€“ although the weather this week has made it seem more like the end of the summer term, than spring! Year 6 had a super trip to the Science Museum on Friday and everybody (including the staff!) returned thoroughly exhausted. Saturday was wonderful, with our first Family Fun Day of the year. Thank you to Miss Capelin for organising this and to the staff and families who came along. The skateboarding was as popular as ever and the carnival flags were stunning! Monday saw the children have their annual class photographs and on Tuesday, Year 2 spent the day solving riddles to travel around the island on a treasure hunt â€“ really putting their geography, literacy and thinking skills to the test! A great deal of minor works are being undertaken on the school site throughout the Easter break and I look forward to sharing these with you upon our return! All that remains is for me to thank the staff for their exceptional hard work and dedication this term and to wish you all a happy and safe Easter break. I look forward to seeing everybody return to school on 16th April. Miss Johnston :)

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 26, 23rd March, 2012

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 10:12:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

With just one week until the end of term, the pace of life at Brighstone certainly isn’t slowing! On Monday, the Head and Deputy Boys and Girls led a wonderful worship on humility, during which Mr McGouran had his feet washed by The Queen and David Beckham – ask your child! Year 1 worked with Helen Stitchbury on identifying safe ways to walk to school from our ‘park away’ sites, as well as continuing their road safety training. Year 5 had a wonderful day at Kingswood activity centre on Thursday. The children and Mrs Pugh returned to school extremely tired, so I look forward to hearing about all the activities that they participated in fully today. Year 6 have also had a busy few days. In July, the children will be going on residential trips with children from 4 other local schools and the other Headteachers joined me to talk about these trips with them. Today we were all up incredibly early, as Year 6 ventured off to the Science Museum in London at 5am and I look forward to finding out about their day on Monday. Thank you to those parents who attended parental consultation meetings this week. We hope that you found this a useful opportunity and feel encouraged by your child’s progress over the last term. A further thanks if you ‘added your sticker’ to our dinner money price survey. The most popular response for a maximum meal price was £2 and this will be taken into consideration as we continue our negotiations. We also took receipt of a cheque for nearly £370 for our Phil the Bag collection!!! Today, we are supporting Sport Relief. The children are all participating in a country team ‘fun run’ organised by Mr McGouran, as well as a whole school aerobics session this afternoon! Thank you for your donations totalling: £120.33 A reminder that the children have their class photographs on Monday, so please send them into school in smart school uniform and that the term ends next Friday! I hope to see many of you at the Fun Day tomorrow! Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 25, 16th March, 2012

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:38:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

It’s been another busy week at Brighstone! Last Friday our school choir achieved a ‘highly commended’ in the Isle of Wight Music Competition finals (their first attempt at a competition!) and the key stage 2 boys played well in a football match against Nine Acres. On Saturday, all children in Years 1-6 entered handwriting into the Spring Horticultural Show and I was delighted to hear the organisers praise all the children for their entries. Winners will be announced next week. On Monday our Year 5/6 basketball teams came joint 5^th in the island basketball finals, which is also a huge achievement, given that there are over 40 primary schools on the island. Year 1 have been busy too, ‘out and about’ visiting Marsh Green Farm and participating in road safety training. Please find attached a copy of our Ofsted report, which will be generally published early next week. We are delighted with the results under a new, much more challenging framework and are now looking forward to our SIAS inspection at Easter. On Monday, we will be sending out a short newsletter of activities about one of our school values, humility, which we hope that you will find interesting. This is in response to parents wishing to know more about how we are developing our school values work, as well as how you can support your child at home. Have a super weekend! Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 24, 9th March, 2012

Fri, 09 Mar 2012 10:57:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

Just 3 weeks now until the end of the Spring Term! This week we have seen some sunshine, but the temperature has remained a little chilly, so please continue to send your child into school with a coat. Year 1 had a super trip to the beach with West Wight Landscape Partnership and have produced some wonderful art work as a result. Our first after school club in Shorwell, Theatretrain, began on Tuesday and was thoroughly enjoyed by the children and Miss Capelin! I look forward to the children’s performances during their final session. Thank you to those parents who attended our Year 6 SATS Information Evening – we hope you found the session useful. My thanks also for the Phil the Bag donations which will generate some useful income for the school. Today Pabulum will launch a ‘design a lunch plate’ competition for the children, where the 5 winning plates will be served as the school lunches for a whole week in just a few weeks time! We contacted all parents during the week, as there have been recurrent cases of head lice. Please ensure that you have read the leaflet that we sent home and continue to check your child’s hair on a regular basis. Tomorrow sees the Brighstone Horticultural Spring Show in The Wilberforce Hall. Years 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 will have the children’s handwriting on display and there will be lots of other interesting exhibits, so please pop along! Wishing you all a restful weekend! Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 23, 2nd March, 2012

Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:57:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

What a week! On Friday morning last week, Ofsted informed us that they would be inspecting the school on Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Since January, Ofsted are inspecting schools under a new and much more challenging framework. We were ready for the inspection and whilst no stone was left unturned, we feel that it was a fair process. I particularly enjoyed hearing the amazingly positive feedback from the children about the school who described us as, “a happy, empathetic learning community!” I’d also like to thank the staff for their hard work in preparation and throughout the inspection process. The inspection team thoroughly recognised the amazing journey that the school has been on over the last 2 years as a result of school reorganisation. Unfortunately, due to the inspection we had to postpone Maths Week, which will now take place next week. We also apologise for cancelling our after school clubs on Tuesday (as the inspection team wished to speak to staff) and these will now take place on 13^th March instead. Other activities taking place this week have included: An RE Day on Monday where Year 1 held a baptism, the final Forest Schools session of the term and 4 children from Years 5 and 6 representing the school at a gifted and talented mathematicians event at Christ the King College. The next few weeks are incredibly busy ones, so please keep your eye on the diary dates listed below, as well as the school website! Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 22, 24th February, 2012

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 15:26:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MRS PUGH

Another busy week, well almost, has come and gone. On Monday while the children were savouring one more days holiday, your staff were beavering away in school, planning, preparing and organising another half terms worth of exciting lessons, activities and events. We also worked on our school’s Christian Values and have selected, after much debate and discussion, eight values which are the focus of our Christian Worship and will become the foundation of the Christian Values taught within the curriculum. During the morning the staff used all their creative skills to paint eight, glass, candle holders, which show in their own very individual way, their understanding of each value. The values we chose were, Friendship, Perseverance, Compassion, Hope, Humility, Service, Forgiveness and Spirituality and each class will be focussing on one value over this half term and creating a banner to be displayed in the hall. There will be more information about these values and how parents can help their child understand them in the near future.

We would like to welcome Isabella and family into our school and pray that their transition to Brighstone has been enjoyable. I know all of Year 1 are delighted to have a new class mate and have welcomed Isabella into their class with open arms.

As the weather improves – Walk on Wednesdays is back and each class have been issued with a poster to record how many children walk or cycle to school. Remember there are parking places all over Brighstone where you can park and walk to gain your foot print sticker.

Last week the Head Boy, Head Girl and their deputies interviewed and appointed our new School Prefects who will receive their official badges and duties next week.

The Year 6, Learning Detectives have been busy observing lesson across the school and have been giving positive feedback to classes on the learning skills they have observed, while Year 5 have been taught by Create an Eco Company which promotes learning through technology. Yesterday, Year 3 ventured to Amazon World as part of their project on Madagascar and from the discussions in the class it seems that all were enthralled by their learning experience. I have had a wonderful week and thank all the staff and Miss Johnston for their support and trust.

Mrs Pugh

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 20, 10th February, 2012

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 10:45:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

What a busy final week it has been! On Wednesday, Miss Brough (Literacy Leader) took some of our KS2 Gifted and Talented writers back to Carisbrooke College to present the school magazine that they had produced. The children have worked incredibly hard on this and now plan to produce a published magazine at least once a term. We also had some wonderful news on Friday – our KS2 basketball teams won the West Wight cluster competition and are now through to the island finals at Carisbrooke College in a few weeks time. Well done to all! On Monday we were treated to a spectacular piano concert and the children have been working incredibly hard on assessments all week, which have included a mock SATS week for Year 6. Thank you for returning your parental consultations slips. I will endeavour to assign the appointment slots next week. Although next week is half-term, don’t forget to watch ‘Countryfile’ on Sunday, where we hope several of our pupils will make an appearance! FAB will be open throughout half term & if your child is attending on Monday, please come dressed for gardening. FAB will be held in the hall on Monday and its usual venue for the remainder of the week. Please telephone in advance if you wish to book a place for your child. Finally, just to inform parents that I will be away from school 22^nd – 24^th February. Mrs Pugh will be non-teaching on 22^nd and 24^th and Mrs McQueen 23^rd, in my absence. I hope that you all have a super half-term and look forward to seeing everyone back in school safe & well on TUESDAY 21^st February. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 19, 3rd February, 2012

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:09:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

Thank you to everyone who came to our community breakfast last Friday. Over 60 people attended and a good time was had by all! We also had a team participate in the Farmhouse Breakfast football match on Saturday and although they didn’t win, they did play extremely well and were praised for their sportsmanship. I had a super (if a little chilly!) time at Churchill Chine last Friday morning with 4 Year 6 children. We were filmed for BBC Countryfile, which is to be broadcast on the 12^th February. If you can’t wait until then, please check the gallery page on our school website. This week, Seahorse Class wrapped up warm to head out on a local walk and our learning detectives have been hard at work visiting several classrooms. Today sees Mr McGouran host a maths coffee and chat opportunity and I will be taking some children from Years 5 and 6 to compete in a Basketball competition at West Wight Sports Centre later on. We are still seeking parents to form a team for our maths week quiz, so please return your forms ASAP! We will also be holding a ‘work day’ on 13^th February. FAB are working hard to clear the school garden and would appreciate your help. If you can spare a few hours from 10am on the 13^th, please report to the school hall and you will be given a job! Finally, we’ve been issued with a severe weather warning for the weekend. If we receive a substantial snowfall and need to close the school, we will send you a text message at the earliest opportunity, so keep your phone handy! Also, if you tweet, remember to sign up to the Southern Vectis school transport twitter feed.

Miss Johnston

REMINDER – PLEASE can we have your clean, undamaged black boxes to help us with our recycling effort. Thank you!

ALL OUTSTANDING DINNER MONIES FOR THIS HALF TERM ARE DUE BY WEDNESDAY NEXT WEEK –

CONTACT THE SCHOOL OFFICE ASAP IF YOU ARE UNSURE HOW MUCH YOU OWE.

KS2 Golden Assembly Next Week – Parents of children accepting awards should have received letters last week.

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 18, 27th January, 2012

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:04:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

As I sit to write the Buzz this Thursday evening, I am reflecting upon a highly successful Farmhouse Breakfast Week 2012. This week, every child has received a different breakfast every morning and we have had numerous visitors into school including: Mary Case, Hamilton’s, Pabulum, Sainsbury’s and Briddlesford Farm as well as experiencing a super worship on Healthy Eating, led by the Eco-Schools Council. Today sees our week culminate in a Community Breakfast and I look forward to seeing many of you there. Mrs Pugh will be ‘holding the fort’ for me to begin with at the breakfast, as this week we received a very welcome invitation from BBC’s Countryfile, to participate in some fossil hunting and filming on Brook Chine this morning! I will be down on the beach bright and early with some Year 6 pupils and look forward to reporting back on our adventure next week! I’d like to extend huge congratulations to Jan Munt, who this week passed the National Programme for Specialist Leaders in Behaviour. Jan was instrumental in supporting the pupils and Mrs Pugh with re-writing the behaviour policy last year and continues to meet with pupils to review how well the policy is working. Jan’s work was highly praised and she is a real credit to the school. Well done Jan! A reminder that last week we advertised our forthcoming Maths Week: 28^th February to 2^nd March. We would be pleased to welcome parents into the school to share with us how you use maths in your job or everyday life. We are also looking for a brave parent’s team to face our KS2 children at the end of the week – please return your response forms to the school office. Good luck to those children who are participating in the Farmhouse Breakfast football tournament tomorrow – I look forward to hearing about your matches! And finally, they say a change is as good as a rest, so I will be moving to the playground gate at the front of the school whenever possible from next week. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 17, 20th January, 2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 10:26:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

At last – we are connected! I’m delighted to say that on Monday, our fibre optics were connected and we now not only have amazingly fast broadband, but crystal clear phone lines too! Thank you for your patience during this interim period, which I know has been incredibly frustrating for all of us. Spring term after school clubs have begun this week and I met a very enthusiastic book club and highly knowledgeable and keen ICT Club this week. I hope that the children enjoy these opportunities and I thank the staff for providing their time and expertise. I also enjoyed our first Forest Schools session of the term on a cold Tuesday morning, where the children showed an amazing talent for sawing and plans for constructing a tree house began to develop! Many of you will have started to receive wheelie bins as part of the new waste collection service. We will also be switching to an enhanced recycling service from the end of January and would like your help! If you have a household black box that is clean, undamaged and you will no longer require, please could you bring it into school as we require approximately 15 of them to kick start our classroom and office recycling. Many thanks. Please take some time to read the Safer Internet and Maths Week attachments, as we would value your support and involvement. Best wishes. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 16, 13th January, 2012

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 10:46:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

I don’t know where this week has gone! It has been an incredibly busy week for me, so please accept my apologies for absence from the gate. Weather permitting, I hope to resume normal service next week! Last Friday I mentioned our Epiphany Day. This was a huge success and it was a pleasure to see so many parents in school. Please come and have a look at our displays in the school hall, which illustrate the day. This week Seahorse Class launched their geography topic with a walk around the village and 4 children from Years 5 and 6 accompanied Miss Brough to an event for gifted and talented writers at Carisbrooke High School. They now have a ‘gap task’ to complete and I look forward to seeing their work develop. I’ve also had the pleasure of seeing some wonderful poems in Year 5 and amazing stained glass art in Year 4. As previously advised, the Education Welfare Service carried out a ‘late sweep’ on Wednesday. They will be returning in the near future, as there was some concern over the number of families arriving through the main entrance after 8:25am. We are human and know that there are some days when the car won’t start or the alarm doesn’t go off, but the school day does begin at 8:25am and it is important that children are in school for this time. Children in Years R, 5 and 6 can come into their classrooms any time from 8:15am. Enjoy the weekend – I look forward to seeing everybody safely back in school on Monday.Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 15, 6th January, 2012

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 11:14:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

Happy New Year! A very warm welcome back to school and to 2012! I hope that you all had an enjoyable Christmas and haven’t broken your new year’s resolutions already! The school certainly wasn’t sleeping over Christmas. The installation of our new fire alarm system was completed and we also carried out repairs to fencing that had been damaged. I’m delighted to inform you that we raised £219.12 for the Children’s Society at our Christingle Service on the last day of term and those parents who heard about our ‘staff band’ may like to view photos of our performance, (as well as the children’s Christingle Service), on the gallery page of our school website. I’d like to extend a warm welcome to Henry, who has joined us in Year 5 this week and also to Miss Jenkinson, who has joined us on a graduate teacher placement until March. This week we have been trialling a new approach to lunchtimes with the children, which will see fewer outside at any one time. We will evaluate this with the children and staff over the coming weeks. Response slips for our spring term clubs have also been sent out this week. There are a few spaces remaining in some clubs. Please contact the school office for further details. Today we will be celebrating Epiphany and look forward to welcoming parents into the classroom to join in with our activities. KS1 will be focusing on gifts and KS2 great journeys. Finally, Miss Brough has recovered well and I’m pleased to say, is hoping to return to school on MONDAY. Wishing you all an enjoyable (and less windy!) weekend. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 14, 16th December, 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:30:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON Weâ€™ve made it! The end of term is here but itâ€™s by no means been a quiet finale! Saturday saw our Christmas Fair, which was incredibly busy! We are delighted to have made over Â£900 profit and Iâ€™d like to thank everyone who was involved in either the planning of this event, or helping on the day. Weâ€™ve had two superb performances of Hosanna Rock from KS1 and are all very much looking forward to the KS2 Christingle this afternoon, which the children have planned and will be leading. Our KS2 Choir braved the elements on Tuesday morning to perform in Newport and the children have all enjoyed their Christmas parties! Iâ€™d also like to extend a warm welcome to Julia, who has joined our learning support team in Year 3 this week and also many congratulations to Rachael, our Year 4 Learning Support Assistant, who attained the Childhood BA Hons degree last week. We would like to wish Mrs Saunders well as she begins her second placement at Shanklin Primary after Christmas and welcome Miss Jenkinson into Year 4 until the beginning of March, in her place. A note for Year 1 parents that Miss Brough is having a minor operation during the Christmas break and hopes to return on 9th January. We wish her well and a speedy recovery. Mr Yendall and Mrs Pierrepont will cover her class during the first week back. Iâ€™d like to finish with some thanks. Firstly to all of you for your kind cards, gifts and Christmas wishes â€“ they are all very much appreciated. And finally, to the staff. We have a wonderful team who work exceptionally hard to provide the best for your children and I would like to thank them for their hard work this term. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to seeing everyone back at 8:25am on Tuesday 3rd January 2012. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 13, 9th December, 2011

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:42:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON

What a week! On Monday I was delighted to take receipt of £1150 of musical instruments, kindly donated by West Wight Rotary. This will make a huge difference to the children’s learning, for which I am eternally grateful. Year 6 have been busy with a visit from a steam engine, in addition to travelling to Milestones Museum in Basingstoke on Wednesday. The Year 6 learning detectives have been working hard as well, looking for learning in a variety of classrooms. Their reports have been both thorough and helpful, and I look forward to meeting with them more formally next week. We erected our trees in St Mary’s and the Methodist Churches on Tuesday. This year they are ‘poet-trees’, as the children enjoyed our ‘Rhythm and Rhyme’ poetry work so much. Spring term clubs forms went out on Tuesday and are due back by Thursday next week. If your child did not receive a form, please contact the school office or visit our website. Today we will be serving 147 Christmas Dinner’s to the children at lunchtime – I wish the kitchen staff much luck, as well as my thanks! I hope to see many of you at the fair tomorrow and I hear that Starfish Class need to be prepared for a very special hunt on Monday...watch this space!

Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 12, 2nd December, 2011

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 15:53:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON Preparations for Christmas are now well and truly underway. The postbox is in place if children wish to send cards to one another. Please ensure that all cards have the childâ€™s name and class written on them clearly to ensure delivery! It was a pleasure to see so many people at parents evenings this week. I hope that you found the meetings useful. Unfortunately Miss Capelin was unwell and so her meetings will now take place next week on Monday and Wednesday. The same appointment times will stand. If you now cannot attend due to the changed date, please contact Miss Capelin directly, who will be happy to see you at another time. There appears to have been a sickness bug doing the rounds this week! Please can I remind you that if your child has sickness or diarrohea, they should be kept off school for at least 24 hours after their last episode. Please do not send your child into school if they have been sick in the night. Thank you. Finally, our fibre optic cables were installed yesterday evening and we are hoping that our new broadband service will be in place by Christmas! We are now approaching a very busy two week period, so please read the Buzz carefully and keep an eye on the diary dates section in particular, so that you are fully aware of the many exciting events we have planned. Itâ€™s just 22 days until Christmas!

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 11, 25th November, 2011

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 10:14:00 +0000

I was delighted to be asked to undertake the reading at the licensing of our new parish priest, Rev. Helen Oâ€™Sullivan on Saturday. It was a wonderful service, led by Bishop Christopher, and he asked after the classroom and Seahorse Class! Helen spent Tuesday morning in school and is looking forward to getting to know the children and yourselves over the coming months. Christmas is on its way (sorry!) with us beginning our preparations for advent next week and momentum is gathering for the Christmas Fair! Watch this space for further exciting information! The BSA will be issuing maps to give to all the children next week so that only they know how to find the secret present room! The secret present room will be full of gifts, all priced at Â£2, which will be fully personalised and gift wrapped, including a large variety of gifts to suit family, friends, pets and much more. Please find attached the programme for this yearâ€™s Christmas Tree Festival, which we hope that you will enjoy attending. I had a super meeting with the Head Boy and Girl this week, who have been talking to the class about things that they would like to do, to commemorate their time at Brighstone â€“ they have some exciting ideas which I look forward to sharing with you after Christmas. Reception and Year 1 thoroughly enjoyed their pirate day yesterday and even I was tempted by their fabulous ships biscuits! Wishing you all an enjoyable weekend. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 10, 18th November, 2011

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:27:00 +0000

This week the school has been participating in anti-bullying week and our behaviour group (who helped to write our behaviour policy last year), led an excellent assembly on the appropriate behaviours that we expect to see in school. Years 4 and 5 took part in money skills workshops and I thoroughly enjoyed the last Forest Schools session with my current group, during which we each created a â€˜log bookâ€™ and cooked popcorn over an open fire in our very own home-made contraption! Year 1 have become smugglers and there has been a great deal of music ringing through the corridors! Mrs McQueen held a very well received coffee and chat for parents of children with special educational needs on Thursday morning. The focus was speech and language and she is now interested to hear from parents which professionals they would be interested to meet with at the next one! If you have any suggestions, please let Mrs McQueen know. Please can I remind parents that we are currently collecting items for the Christmas Fair - see the next page. A final note to say that Year 4 may now also order a jacket potato option, in place of the main/vegetarian meal for their school lunch if they wish. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 9, 9th November, 2011

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 13:39:00 +0000

NEWS FROM MISS JOHNSTON It’s been another busy week at Brighstone! I’d firstly like to extend a warm welcome to Maxwell who has started his learning journey in Year 1. Also to Nancy Rimmer, who joins us as our new pupil transport escort on the service 101a. Nancy will be shadowing myself and other escort staff for a short period of time and then I hope to be able to return to my usual morning post on the gate. Year 1 were incredibly fortunate with the weather this week and enjoyed a super day at HMS Victory as part of their pirate topic. Year 3 also appreciated a visit to Brading Roman Villa as part of their topic work. Miss Capelin has been busy talking to the children about the after school clubs that they would like to participate in next term and the Eco-Schools Council led a wonderful assembly about their current work and how everyone in the school can support them. The Governing Body have been hard at work too, reviewing a number of policies including ‘child protection’, which is available on the INFO page of our school website, along with other statutory documents. We are looking forward to our participation in Children in Need next Friday (see the next page), as well as our final Forest School session for this term. Miss Johnston

Brighstone Buzz, Issue 8, 3rd November, 2011

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 13:41:00 +0000

The nights are now drawing in and autumn is truly upon us! Welcome back to the second half of the autumn term.

It was an incredibly busy half-term at Brighstone. FAB Club (including the staff!) had a fantastic time being pirates for the week, constructing a wonderful pirate ship which Reception are now making the most of as part of their pirate topic work. We also undertook a great deal of work internally and externally. We are currently in the midst of having a new fire alarm being installed, which will not be complete until the Christmas break. All work is being carried out outside of normal school hours and our current system will remain in place until the new system is up and running. We were also pleased that the Local Authority were able to restore our broadband provision. A short-term solution has been found to restore the internet using an ariel link, but within the next few months, the school will be installing a new fibre optic connection which we are all very much looking forward to. Our school email account, text and telephone system are all now working again normally. Thank you for bearing with us – we do appreciate how frustrating this loss has been for all concerned.

The half-term got off to a great start with Year 5’s visit to the British Museum in London. A super day was had by all and I’ve heard many tales from the children about the mummies and giant scarab beetle that they saw! The following day saw Year 2 visit Beaulieu. Luckily the fine weather held and the children enjoyed their visit – especially looking at the cars that had been on the ‘Top Gear’ track. On Wednesday Year 6 had a live video conference with the National Archives and more activity is planned with off-site visits for Years 1 and 3 next week.

Please find attached our FAB booking form for the Christmas holidays – we would be grateful to receive bookings as early as possible, in order to help us to effectively plan our activities and staffing. A reminder that our breakfast club is still in operation EVERY morning from 7:45am in the Rowan Room. Breakfast and interactive activities are provided at a cost of just £2 per session. The staff and children would be delighted to welcome new members on a ‘one-off’ or regular basis. Contact the school office to book a session for your child.

As you know, it is an INSET Day tomorrow and teaching staff will be undertaking mathematics training with our partner school St Francis. FAB is open tomorrow, but please telephone the school if you would like your child to attend. Entry is through the Reception Classroom, not the main entrance. Enjoy the slightly longer weekend and I look forward to seeing you all return safely on Monday. Miss Johnston

21st October Brighstone Buzz Issue 7

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 17:42:00 +0000

Here we are at the end of the first half-term of the academic year and what a busy half-term it has been! I'm sure that you are all looking forward to the break ahead and I know that the staff and children in FAB are excited about becoming pirates next week! Apologies that you have not seen me on the gate for the last week or so, but I (and occasionally other staff) are currently acting as temporary pupil escorts on one of the school buses. Jennifer Middle successfully attained a speech therapy post and you may have seen our advertisement for her replacement. This week I attended a planning meeting regarding the Year 6 transition trips and a full itinerary, as well as details concerning parents meetings, will be made available to parents straight after half-term. A reminder to Year 6 parents that the deadline for returning your Secondary School application forms is 28^th October. Well done to those who played in this week's football match against Yarmouth. Sadly we lost 0-3, but the children were an outstanding credit and are looking forward to a re-match soon! Much work will be undertaken at the school during half-term, including the partial fitting of a new fire alarm system, moving the gate in the Early Years fencing, repairing the wooden walkway to the playground and replacing some fire doors - we are also hopeful that our broadband will return! So I look forward to seeing you all back safe and sound on the 31^st October. Miss Johnston

KS2 Award Winners: Autumn Term First Half

Numeracy -Emma-Rose, William B, Luke St, Martha

Literacy - Lacey, Eliot, Thomas St, Lauren S

Progress - Rosie, Leah-Louisa, Ben W-I, Jack L

Special Achievement - Max E, Kimberley, Jack M, Hannah J

The Arts - Leah M, Sam C, Harrison L, Isabel

Sport - Morgan, Jacob, Ellie-Lin, Kelseigh